Learning New Things
Kalyan Banerjee (center), and Jason Wunsch (right)
Incoming-President, Jason Wunsch, attended “President-Elect Training” (known as PETS) this weekend. He said he had lots of fun, and reported the following, “I was fortunate to (meet) today with Kalyan Banerjee, 2011-2012 Rotary International President. He was speaking at our seminar in Greensboro. The Rotary Club is an International Organization that serves the community and has been very successful in its efforts to eradicate Polio. It is a great way to give back to your community and help people abroad.”
Old Friends and New
At our Club meeting Thursday night (March 17), we were visited by a member of the club whom we have not seen in many months. Ronnie Faulkner dropped in for a visit with us this week. Ronnie has moved to South Carolina to a new job and transferred to a Rotary Club in that area. Ronnie reported that his new club was 99 members strong and that he had accepted the post of Secretary for the next Rotary year.
We were also visited by one of our four-year scholarship students, Kristen Baker. Kristen is a student at Campbell University and she is double-majoring in psychology and physical therapy. She is an impressive and ambitious young woman with a 30-hour a week job. She plans to graduate in only three years and then go after a Master’s degree and possibly a PhD.
Harnett Gala Keeps on Giving
Our Club’s annual major fundraiser, the Cornelius Harnett Charity Gala, in its twenty-fifth year, was a rousing success. Between donations and door prizes, delicious food and dancing, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and having a pretty good time.
The evening started out with a welcome by President Karen Kratz, and an invocation by Tom Woerner. Then, Leon Jordan and the Continentals struck up the band for some classic Swing-Era music. Dancers took to the floor and the party was on!
The heavy or’devours were delicious, served up by Meadow Village Caterers; strawberries and grapes, cheese and crackers, meatballs and shrimp, and more delicious delicacies. Nobody went hungry.
After a bit of dining and dancing, door prize tickets were pulled for a garden cart and goodies, and then a spa basket. Afterward, President Kratz announced and presented two financial contributions from the Club. The first was to Harnett County Teacher of the Year, Michelle Cline, who was presented with a check for $500. Ms. Cline teaches at Central Harnett Middle School. The second was presented to Bob Doberstein who heads up Harnett County’s Buddy Backpack program. The Club had raised $750 through a 50/50 raffle last fall, and then thanks to the efforts of Club member Ed McCormick, a matching grant from Rotary District 7710 helped to double that amount. Bob was given a check for $1,500.
After these awards, the band changed up from the Swing Era music to a few more contemporary pieces. Two more door prizes (a mini-TV/DVD player and a Sony Blu-ray) were given away, and then President Kratz announced, and re-presented, Ann Hood with the Rotarian of the Year award. Ann’s tireless support of her husband and Club member, Glenn Hood, and her invaluable assistance to make the Gala happen every year, has been very much appreciated.
Some more music and a “boot-scootin’-boogie” piece played by the band got several ladies up on the dance floor to strut their stuff, and then at the end of the evening the final door prize was drawn – an Apple iPad.
Many thanks to all of our sponsors and attendees – we are greatful to you all!
What is Rotary?
The Rotary Club of Lillington is an organization of business and professional persons united with worldwide Rotary clubs who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. You can learn more about our Club's projects and events within this site.
Chartered on October 23, 1937, the Rotary Club of Lillington has helped to make a better community. Working with the schools and helping build facilities for civic clubs and other events, the Rotary Club of Lillington has been a supporter of youth and education in our community and in the world.